Pets in Harmony Media Center

HARMONY — Pet rehabilitation centers, such as Pets in Harmony Veterinary Hospital, which is in Harmony, and Twinbrook Animal Clinic in Valencia, are starting a new trend in local animal care.
​(Click image or "Read More" below for full article...)

Buddy the dog walks on the underwater treadmill with help from therapist Meredith Wille, right, and his owner Joan Schwoegl at Pets in Harmony Veterinary Hospital in Harmony. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN GUIDO/BUTLER EAGLE

Above, Buddy walks in the underwater treadmill tank at Pets in Harmony Veterinary Hospital. More veterinary clinics are using physical therapy techniques and equipment developed for humans. Some pets needing rehab have had surgery or cannot have surgery. At right, Buddy takes a breather from his therapy. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN GUIDO/BUTLER EAGLE

HARMONY — Pet rehabilitation centers, such as Pets in Harmony Veterinary Hospital, which is in Harmony, and Twinbrook Animal Clinic in Valencia, are starting a new trend in local animal care.

Laura Lefever, certified canine rehabilitation assistant, said there are many similarities between what physical therapy looks like for a person and what it looks like for the dogs she treats at Twinbrook.

“We use a lot of the equipment they use in human physical therapy,” Lefever said. Twinbrook serves about 15 to 20 dogs weekly.
​
Pets who receive treatment vary, including those who have had surgery, cannot have surgery, or will have surgery in the future.

Buddy gets a brace fitted for his knee recently by therapist Meredith Wille, right, and his owner Joan Schwoegl at Pets in Harmony Veterinary Hospital in Harmony. Some treatments that help people can also be used with pets, such as underwater treadmills. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN GUIDO/BUTLER EAGLE

Treatments at the clinics include therapeutic ultrasound, cold lasers, electro-stimulation, various exercises, land treadmills, at-home prescriptive exercises and underwater treadmills.

Twinbrook, which performs other veterinary services, including surgeries, flea and tick medication, prevention and wellness, grooming, and cat boarding, is one of very few clinics that also offers underwater treadmill therapy.
​
“Not everybody has (this),” Lefever said. “It takes a pretty big commitment — not only a financial investment but for space and time.”